Riders score road win, down Ticats in Hamilton
HAMILTON (CP) — Christion Jones’ 61-yard punt return touchdown highlighted an impressive second half as the visiting Saskatchewan Roughriders rallied for a 31-20 win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Thursday night.
Hamilton took a 10-point lead into the third, but Saskatchewan’s Marcus Thigpen scampered 80 yards for a TD just 33 seconds into the quarter. Brandon Bridge’s 24-yard TD strike to Naaman Roosevelt at 5:10 put the Riders ahead 21-17, thanks in part to a bizarre decision by the Ticats.
Roosevelt scored three plays after Hamilton (2-3) starter Jeremiah Masoli’s stunning unsuccessful onside kick — ruled a fumble as it didn’t cross the line of scrimmage — was recovered by Saskatchewan’s Willie Jefferson.
Lirim Hajrullahu’s 35-yard field goal at 8:32 pulled the Ticats to within 21-20 before Jones countered with the Roughriders’ first punt return TD of the season at 13:46.
Brett Lauther’s 35-yard field goal at 5:33 of the fourth put Saskatchewan (3-2) ahead 31-20.
Masoli fell short in his bid for a record 10th straight 300-yard passing performance. He finished 20-of-27 passing for 184 yards with an interception and a lost fumble before a Tim Hortons Field gathering of 23,346 that also included Andy Fantuz. The former Ticats/Riders slotback retired Thursday and was honoured on the field following a 12-year CFL career.
Saskatchewan earned a sweep of the home-and-home series after earning an 18-13 home win over Hamilton on July 5. The Riders have earned five straight wins over the Ticats.
B.C. (2-2) at OTTAWA (2-2) Tonight, 4:30 p.m. PT, TD Place
Travis Lulay will be the Lions’ starting quarterback against the Redblacks, the only team that he does not have a 300-plus yard passing game against in the league.
Lulay threw for 326 yards last week as the Lions scored 20 unanswered second-half points in a 20-17 win over Winnipeg at B.C. Place Stadium in Vancouver.
However, the Lions are 1-7 in their past eight road games.